Adventure and Photography – Passion for the Outdoors

Hornøya – An arctic bird paradise

You cannot avoid getting overwhelmed when you are surrounded by 80.000 seabirds! We were met by kittiwake chaos initiated by 3 white-tailed eagles circling above the bird island when we landed the boat on the dock. Hornøya bird island is the easternmost point in Norway, but just a short boat trip from Vardø. At 70 degrees north this is a true arctic bird paradise.

I’m not one of those birdwatchers travelling all over the world to look for a particular species – but this place is not for passionate birdwatchers only. Any wildlife or nature enthusiast would be excited about visiting Hornøya. It is one of the wildest, most extreme places in Europe, yet it is still easily available with boat from the harbour in Vardø.

The lighthouse on the island is operational during winter, but during summer it is not needed as the midnight sun ensure daylight 24 hours a day. It is possible to stay overnight on Hornøya in the lighthouse keeper’s cottage.

We visited the island in the beginning of August, when the last puffins were about to leave the island and the Guillemot chicks had made their big jump of the cliff. But the island was still packed with what I believe is European Shags – and I got some really nice close up photos.

Next time I will go back in spring when the puffins have just arrived to experience the famous ‘Puffin Fight Club’ – when they fight for the best nesting burrow on the island. And maybe I’ll consider spending the night in the light house.

22 thoughts on “Hornøya – An arctic bird paradise”

Inger, what a remote and idyllic location. You have to book the light house cottage and I can’t wait to read about the Puffin Fight Club. I saw puffins onthe Scottish islands during a cruise and fell for these birds … so cute and individualistic.

I have actually called them cormorant for quite a while. I just recently visited Hornøya’s offical website and they call them shags 🙂 I really want to go back to see those puffins. And staying at the lighthouse keeper’s cottage is actually not very expense, it is less then 50$ – however expect a fairly simple standard (and you have to bring all you need) 🙂

What a special place, Inger! I adore the Shags – they are such characters. Great photographs, I love the green eyes and the shiny feathers. I cannot wait to see shags and puffins next summer. It is a highlight of my year 🙂 Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos.

Such beautiful birds! And such a beautiful place. I’m glad you gave the spotlight to these Cormorants. Where I live, they are often under-appreciated. So, it’s nice to see they are given some attention 🙂
Hope you are doing well!
Best wishes,
Takami

Inger & Tor

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